Melanie Murphy was recognized for achievement in teaching.
Melanie Murphy, assistant professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, has received the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Teaching Award of Merit.
The UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has an institutional membership in NACTA and has the opportunity each year to recognize a faculty member for achievement in teaching.
Professor John Tanaka, head of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, nominated Murphy.
“In her short time here, she has put extraordinary effort into becoming a better teacher,” says Tanaka. “I believe she is succeeding in that endeavor.”
Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife resources in 1998 and a master’s degree in wildlife resources in 2001 from the University of Idaho. She received her Ph.D. in zoology from Washington State University in 2008, then joined the UW faculty in 2010.
Tanaka says Murphy has developed an innovative graduate course taught by faculty members at three international institutions, and is exploring the possibility of developing an exchange-type course with a university in Mexico.
Tanaka also notes a high level of student respect for Murphy.
“She is excelling in mentoring graduate students,” he says. “I know her students have the utmost respect for her. They even nominated her for the UW Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. In my experience, that is a pretty rare event for a pre-tenured faculty member working with her first graduate students.”
